Update:

Surgery went well yesterday. Dad was able to call me this morning. He said his throat is sore (to be expected) but he can lift his right arm and the tingling in his fingers is gone. They haven't got him up to walk yet. But he did say he is in a good place mentally and he is positive this surgery helped. I told him about the Gofundme and he did get emotional and just couldn't believe everyone's generosity. He said to tell everyone thank you and please continue with the prayers for his recovery. It will be a long road but he is staying positive and is ready to put in the work. We love you all! Thank you again!

As most of you know, my Dad, Bruce Conner was in a horrible motorcycle accident when he was 19 and has always walked with a limp. The past few years he has managed to live in unbearable pain but last week he was diagnosed with Spinal Stenosis. 3 of his vertebrae have narrowed and are putting pressure on his spinal cord. He is unable to use his right arm and hand, his left is struggling, and he cannot walk without assistance. Surgery is scheduled for Monday with a 6 month recovery time. Financially this will crush my Dad. The co-pays (Keiser is horrible), ramps and equipment, the loss of income and the financial burden on my step mom to care for him are going to be to much loss for them to handle.

My Dad became an auctioneer in 1997. He never turned an auctioneering opportunity down and it opened the door for him to help with charities and fundraising. Buddy Updike, The Auction Man and Associates gave my dad multiple fund raising auctions to help raise money for organizations such as the King George Boy Scouts, 4H live auction exchange and Gallaudet University to name a few. Buddy and Bruce together also raised money for the Historic Society of Fredericksburg.

With Val Knight Auctioneers, Bruce raised money for the Tanyard Country Club Ladies Auxiliary. With T&B Auctions his first auction was a fundraiser to raise money for a widow of a close business friend of David Connor and the Gimroy Company. He teamed up with Officer Darrell English and Sheriff Charlie Jett for the Show & Shine car show and auction to benefit the Special Olympics children of Stafford County. Him and Jim Dandy held multiple auctions at Daltry’s Tavern for fire loss victims and for those who lost loved ones unexpectedly with financial burdens.

My Dad was always the first one I called when we held the St. Jude’s fundraiser ever year at the Fraternal Order of The Eagles and every motorcycle poker run to help local families, usually with terminally ill children.

My Dad always donated his time; if he was compensated, he would donate the money back to the charity every time. He never said no to auctioneering a charity, NEVER!

Him and my step mom took in a foster child many years ago to whom they are still in contact with. My dad has bought cars from the auction with his own money, and fixed them for a single mother and her children and a couple others in need. Just to help them get back on their feet. He helps everyone. No matter what their situation is everyone knows they can call Bruce!

He truly is the heartbeat of our family and friends.

Now I ask all of you to help him.

He is too proud to ask for help and he is not eligible for short or long-term disability, So I am asking all of you to please help. If you are unable to donate, I understand, times are tough for everyone. But please share his story. I will keep adding updates on his recovery.